Childminding Development Grant 2016

Childminders, grandparents, relatives etc. who provide a childminding service in their own (childminder’s) home, or those planning to set up a new childminding service. The grant is not available to childminders caring for children in the parent’s home.

You should be minding or intend minding a minimum of 2 children. At least 1 child on a full time basis* and 1 child on a part time basis** or at least 3 children on a part time basis. You can apply for the grant in preparation for minding new children.

You should not have received a CMDG within the past 2 years (if you received €500-€1000) or 1 year (if you received up to €500)

*As a guideline a place should be counted as full-day care/full-time if it is available continuously for more than 5 hours per day for a minimum of 3 full days per week

**A place should be counted as part-time if it is available for more than 3.5 hours and up to (and including) 5 hours continuously.

Childminders may apply for 90% of the cost of items that are approved for funding up to a maximum of €1,000 e.g. if items cost €1,111 you may receive a grant of €1,000.

The grant is paid to the childminder retrospectively for receipted items purchased i.e. when the application is approved, items can then be purchased and the receipts for the purchased items are to be sent to Tipperary CCC for reimbursement.

Childminders who commit to operate for 2 years are eligible to apply for the maximum grant of €1,000.

Due to a limited budget available to Tipperary CCC, there is no guarantee that childminders will be approved for any/all items in their application.

Decide on how funding could best improve your childminding service. Get a quotation for all items to be purchased by checking catalogues for prices or visit and contact shops for safety, childcare equipment.

Complete the CMDG application form and submit it to Ger Boland Tipperary CCC.

Your application will be appraised by Tipperary CCC whose recommendations will be sent to Pobal. Pobal will review and return a list of approvals. Don’t buy anything yet until you receive written confirmation of approval. Items already purchased cannot be considered for the grant. No purchases should be made until your application has been approved.

Ensure you will meet the eligibility criteria:

Be Voluntary Notified to the Tipperary CCC

You should be minding or intend minding a minimum of 2 children. At least 1 child on a full time basis and 1 child on a part time basis or at least 3 children on a part time basis. (You can apply for the grant in preparation for minding new children).

You should not have received a CMDG within the past 2 years (if you received €500-€1000) or 1 year (if you received up to €500)

Have Garda Vetting

Once your application has been approved you will receive a letter of agreement which you should sign and return to Tipperary CCC accompanied by:

evidence of insurance (if not already submitted)

Declaration of Garda vetting

Evidence of completed training (if not already submitted)

When your letter of agreement has been returned to Tipperary CCC you may then purchase the items approved for funding. It is essential that you retain the original receipts as the grant cheque can only be issued to you when these receipts are forwarded to Tipperary CCC.

In some cases, shops may offer a pro-forma invoice and items can be reserved in the shop. Tipperary CCC can accept this pro forma invoice and issue payment directly to the shop. Once items have been collected, the final purchase receipt should then be forwarded to Tipperary CCC.

If you cease to operate your childminding service within the agreed timeframe, Tipperary CCC may seek to recoup the value of the grant approved.

If you previously received a Childminding Development Grant under previous schemes you may still be eligible for funding. If your last funding draw-down was less than 2 years ago then you are not eligible to apply this time unless the last grant amount approved was €500 or less.